Holcim Philippines Inc. is proud to support affordable and resilient housing organization Base Bahay Foundation in constructing a weaving center for social enterprise Kanya Kawayan in Nasugbu, Batangas that will provide jobs for the local community.
The 150 square-meter weaving center is a great example of a sustainable construction project given its low environmental footprint and positive social impact. It will be built with green cement Holcim ECOPlanet, which has 30 percent lower carbon footprint than Ordinary Portland Cement. The structure will also utilize Base Bahay’s innovative cement-bamboo frame technology, which the organization has used to build 800 houses that are resilient to fires, earthquakes, and typhoons all over the country. Bamboo makes the weaving center even more eco-friendly as it replaces timber, which takes longer to grow.
Furthermore, the structure celebrates Filipino building heritage with its use of local bamboo and elements of traditional architectural design. Finally, the center will help uplift the community by providing 40 jobs as weavers and sewers to the wives and other dependents of local farmers. The structure is set to be finished in the third quarter of 2022.
Holcim Philippines chief sustainability officer Zoe Sibala said, “This very closely aligns with our vision to build progress that is inclusive. This partnership weaves two key pillars of our sustainability commitment as it uses green products such as our Holcim ECOPlanet and increases access to better economic opportunities. The resilience of bamboo and strength of cement can be seen in this partnership and we look forward to working with partners that are innovative and can help us in building better in the Philippines.”
Base Bahay president Maricen Jalandoni said the weaving center provides a venue for people who are currently unemployed to learn new skills to support themselves.
Kanya Kawayan president Bea Roxas for her part, said the very essence of KANYA is interwoven with a commitment to be of service to the economic development of rural communities in the province of Batangas.
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